New Book About Japanese Baseball
The Japanese American Association of New York welcomes back author Robert K. Fitts to discuss his new book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball, which takes a deep dive into the people who work in baseball in Japan.
In the Japanese Ballpark: Book Talk & Signing with Author Robert K. Fitts
Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m.
The Japanese American Association of New York – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 5th Floor
Admission: Free
The Japanese American Association of New York welcomes back author Robert K. Fitts to discuss his new book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball, which takes a deep dive into the people who work in baseball in Japan: ushers, beer girls, mascots, as well as players and executives such as Matt Murton, Bobby V., and former NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato. In total, Fitts edited twenty-six interviews into narratives.
Fitts will give a presentation about the book and then have a Q&A with the audience. Copies of his book will be available for purchase, and he will sign them as well. Experience baseball the Japanese way with Rob Fitts! To RSVP, please send an email to info@jaany.org or call the JAA office at 212-840-6942.
Author Robert K. Fitts and his new book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball
About the Book
In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball takes you deep inside the heart of Japan’s national pastime—far beyond the box scores and highlight reels. To discover what truly sets Japanese baseball apart, author Robert Fitts went straight to the source: the players, managers, umpires, team owners, mascots, beer girls, and lifelong fans who live and breathe the sport. Through their personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the game works and what makes Japanese baseball unique—and so much fun.
Get a front-row seat to the traditions, strategies, and spirit that define baseball in Japan. From the passion of the fans to the precision of the game, every page offers eye-opening stories and insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of the Japanese game, In the Japanese Ballpark can help you fully experience every pitch, hit, and cheer.
About Robert K. Fitts
A former archaeologist with a Ph.D. from Brown University, Robert K. Fitts left academics behind to follow his passion — Japanese baseball. An award-winning author and speaker, his articles have appeared numerous journals, magazines, and websites. He is also the author of ten books on Japanese baseball and Japanese baseball cards.
Fitts is the founder of SABR’s Asian Baseball Committee and a recipient of the society’s 2013 Seymour Medal for the Best Baseball Book of 2012 (Banzai Babe Ruth); the 2019 and 2023 McFarland-SABR Baseball Research Awards; the 2012 Doug Pappas Award for the best oral research presentation at the annual convention; and the 2006, 2021, 2023, and 2024 SABR Research Awards. He has twice been a finalist for the Casey Award and has received two silver medals at the Independent Publisher Book Awards. While living in Tokyo in 1993-94, Fitts began collecting Japanese baseball cards and now runs Robs Japanese Cards LLC. To learn more, please visit Fitts’s website.
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Yankees/Dodgers Watch Party
Bring your cheers and business cards. Watch Aaron Judge and the Bronx Bombers take on Shohei Ohtani and the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a regular season showdown at Dodger Stadium. View all the action on multiple screens throughout the Pub's 2nd floor. Enjoy beer and food and network with fellow young professionals and members.
JCCI & JAA Young Professionals Networking and Baseball Watch Party
Playwright Irish Pub – 27 W. 35th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 2nd Floor
Saturday, May 31 – Doors Open at 6:00 p.m., Game Starts at 7:10 p.m. ET | 4:10 p.m. PT
Admission: $20
On the heels of a successful Japanese and Japanese American Community Night at Citi Field on May 23, which had a one hour and 38-minute rain delay and several extra innings between the Dodgers and the Mets, the Young Professionals of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Japanese American Association of New York are hosting a watch party of Saturday’s matchup between the Mets’ cross-town rivals, the Yankees, against the Dodgers.
About the Event
Bring your cheers and business cards. Watch Aaron Judge and the Bronx Bombers take on Shohei Ohtani and the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a regular season showdown at Dodger Stadium. View all the action on multiple screens throughout the Pub's 2nd floor. Enjoy beer and food and network with fellow young professionals and members.
Admission
Cost to enter is $20, which includes one free drink. Organizers will collect payment at the door, but please register at this link or email info@jcciny.org.
There will be a 5th Inning raffle for New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers merchandise and game tickets. Raffle tickets are $10 each.
Please note: Cash only for admission and raffle tickets.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Fitts to Give Virtual Talk about the 1934 Baseball Tour of Japan
Rob Fitts: Banzai Babe Ruth and Baseball in Japan
Wednesday, November 13 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Virtual Event on Zoom
Admission: Suggested donation: $15 | Free for Museum and SABR Members
The Babe Ruth Baseball Museum hosts this talk with noted author and Japanese baseball expert Rob Fitts. Fitts will speak about the 1934 All-American tour of Japan.
This is a virtual event, free to members of the Babe Ruth Baseball Museum and SABR. To register and to make a suggested donation of $15, please visit the Babe Ruth Baseball Museum’s website.
About Rob Fitts
A former archaeologist with a Ph.D. from Brown University, Robert K. Fitts left academics behind to follow his passion — Japanese baseball. An award-winning author and speaker, his articles have appeared numerous journals, magazines, and websites. He is also the author of ten books on Japanese baseball and Japanese baseball cards. Fitts is the founder of SABR’s Asian Baseball Committee and a recipient of the society’s 2013 Seymour Medal for the Best Baseball Book of 2012 (Banzai Babe Ruth); the 2019 and 2023 McFarland-SABR Baseball Research Awards; the 2012 Doug Pappas Award for the best oral research presentation at the annual convention; and the 2006, 2021, 2023 and 2024 SABR Research Awards. He has twice been a finalist for the Casey Award and has received two silver medals at the Independent Publisher Book Awards. While living in Tokyo from 1993 until 1994, Fitts began collecting Japanese baseball cards and now runs Robs Japanese Cards LLC. For more information and to purchase Fitts’s books, please visit his website.
About Banzai Babe Ruth
In November 1934 as the United States and Japan drifted toward war, a team of American League all-stars that included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, future secret agent Moe Berg, and Connie Mack barnstormed across the Land of the Rising Sun. Hundreds of thousands of fans, many waving Japanese and American flags, welcomed the team with shouts of “Banzai! Banzai Babe Ruth!” The all-stars stayed for a month, playing 18 games, spawning professional baseball in Japan, and spreading goodwill. Politicians on both sides of the Pacific hoped that the amity generated by the tour—and the two nations’ shared love of the game—could help heal their growing political differences. But the Babe and baseball could not overcome Japan’s growing nationalism, as a bloody coup d’état by young army officers and an assassination attempt by the ultranationalist War Gods Society jeopardized the tour’s success. A tale of international intrigue, espionage, attempted murder, and—of course—baseball, Banzai Babe Ruth is the first detailed account of the doomed attempt to reconcile the United States and Japan through the 1934 All-American baseball tour.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!